Suppression of Rice Cryptochrome 1b Decreases Both Melatonin and Expression of Brassinosteroid Biosynthetic Genes Resulting in Salt Tolerance

We investigated the relationship between the blue-light photoreceptor cryptochrome (CRY) and melatonin biosynthesis by generating RNA interference (RNAi) transgenic rice plants that suppress the cryptochrome 1b gene (CRY1b). The resulting CRY1b RNAi rice lines expressed less CRY1b mRNA, but not CRY1a or CRY2 mRNA, suggesting that the suppression is specific to CRY1b. The growth of CRY1b RNAi rice seedlings was enhanced under blue light compared to wild-type growth, providing phenotypic evidence for impaired CRY function. When these CRY1b RNAi rice plants were challenged with cadmium to induce melatonin, wild-type plants produced 100 ng/g fresh weight (FW) melatonin, whereas CRY1b RNAi lines produced 60 ng/g FW melatonin on average, indicating that melatonin biosynthesis requires the CRY photoreceptor. Due to possible feedback regulation, the expression of melatonin biosynthesis genes such as T5H, SNAT1, SNAT2, and COMT was elevated in the CRY1b RNAi lines compared to the wild-type plants. In addition, laminar angles decreased in the CRY1b RNAi lines via the suppression of brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis genes such as DWARF. The main cause of the BR decrease in the CRY1b RNAi lines seems to be the suppression of CRY rather than decreased melatonin because the melatonin decrease suppressed DWARF4 rather than DWARF.     

Detection of magnetic field effects by confocal microscopy

Certain pairs of paramagnetic species generated under conservation of total spin angular momentum are known to undergo magnetosensitive processes. Two prominent examples of systems exhibiting these so-called magnetic field effects (MFEs) are photogenerated radical pairs created from either singlet or triplet molecular precursors, and pairs of triplet states generated by singlet fission. Here, we showcase confocal microscopy as a powerful technique for the investigation of such phenomena. We first characterise the instrument by studying the field-sensitive chemistry of two systems in solution: radical pairs formed in a cryptochrome protein and the flavin mononucleotide/hen egg-white lysozyme model system. We then extend these studies to single crystals. Firstly, we report temporally and spatially resolved MFEs in flavin-doped lysozyme single crystals. Anisotropic magnetic field effects are then reported in tetracene single crystals. Finally, we discuss the future applications of confocal microscopy for the study of magnetosensitive processes with a particular focus on the cryptochrome-based chemical compass believed to lie at the heart of animal magnetoreception.

Confocal microscopy is showcased as a powerful technique for the measurement of spatiotemporally-resolved magnetic field effects in both solutions and single crystals.     

Quantum beat spectroscopy of zeeman splitting and level anticrossing of rotationally selected acetylene (Ã1Au3v3) under weak magnetic fields

New quantum beats have been observed in the fluorescence from a rotational level of the ùA_uv₃ = 3 state of acetylene in a weak magnetic field. The observed quantum beats could be classified into two categories; one due to Zeeman splitting of the relevant level, and the other due to magnetic field-induced level anticrossing between the à singlet level and a non-fluorescent level having a large magnetic moment.     

Synthesis of Flavin-Indole Conjugates with Rigid Diamino Linkers as Cryptochrome Model Compounds

The synthesis of flavin-indole conjugates with a trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane and a 2,6-diaminodecahydronaphthalene linker is reported. Both compounds should serve as artificial model compounds for natural cryptochrome. It is assumed that cryptochrome photoreceptor proteins located in the retina show a light-dependent quantum effect which enables migratory birds to perceive the Earth's magnetic field and is thus used for navigation. Both model compounds were prepared by stepwise reductive aminations of indole carbaldehyde and a flavin-substituted acetaldehyde with the appropriate diamine linkers. The hitherto unknown 2,6-diaminodecahydronaphthalene was prepared in four steps from 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene as the achiral (meso) ax,ax,trans-diastereoisomer. The configuration of this key intermediate as well as synthetic precursors has been established by a series of X-ray single crystal analyses.     

Abstraction of chlorine atoms from chloroalkanes. III. The kinetics of liquid phase reactions of trichlorosilyl radicals with chloromethanes

The kinetics of chlorine atom abstraction from the chloromethanes (ClM), CCl₄, CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, and CH₃Cl by radiolytically generated trichlorosilyl radicals was studied in the liquid phase by a competitive method. Arrhenius parameters of chlorine atom abstraction from chloromethanes relative to that of bromine atom abstraction from cyclohexyl bromide (RBr) were as follows: The error limits are two standard deviations (2σ) from least mean square Arrhenius plots. From the linear correlation between E_cl values derived from the reactions of SiCl₃ and cyclohexyl radicals with the ClM series it is estimated that E_cl (R + CH₃Cl) ? 16 kcal/mole. In addition the relative Arrhenius parameters for the hydrogen atom abstraction from SiHCl₃ and chlorine atom abstraction from CCl₄ by cyclohexyl radicals were obtained log A_H/A_cl = 0.12 ± 0.15 and E_H ? E_cl = 0.24 ± 0.26. The E_H ? E_cl value was combined with existing data on E(R + CCl₄) to yield the E_H(R + SiHCl₃) value.     

Analysis of the bromate-ferroin clock reaction

The bromate-ferroin clock reaction is studied experimentally and the dependence of the clock or induction timet _cl on the initial concentration of various reactants determined. Particular attention is paid to the dependence oft _{cl cl} on the initial bromide ion concentration [Br^–]₀. An analytical theory is also derived based on a subset of the Field-Körös-Noyes mechanism. This analysis reveals several features, including exponential decay of [Br^–] during the induction period followed by a super-exponential decay in the actual clock event, a linear relationship betweent _cl, and ln[Br^–] over a wide range of [Br^–]₀, but departures from this at higher (and lower) concentrations. These features are all confirmed essentially quantitatively by the experimental results. The theory also predicts, and the experiments confirm, that there is a critical bromide ion concentration marking the end of the induction period. This study then provides a firm basis from which to interpret and predict the behaviour of this system in a wider range of experimental situations (such as the reaction-diffusion waves in unstirred media).     

Optical Absorption and Magnetic Field Effect Based Imaging of Transient Radicals

Short‐lived radicals generated in the photoexcitation of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in aqueous solution at low pH are detected with high sensitivity and spatial resolution using a newly developed transient optical absorption detection (TOAD) imaging microscope. Radicals can be studied under both flash photolysis and continuous irradiation conditions, providing a means of directly probing potential biological magnetoreception within sub‐cellular structures. Direct spatial imaging of magnetic field effects (MFEs) by magnetic intensity modulation (MIM) imaging is demonstrated along with transfer and inversion of the magnetic field sensitivity of the flavin semiquinone radical concentration to that of the ground state of the flavin under strongly pumped reaction cycling conditions. A low field effect (LFE) on the flavin semiquinone–adenine radical pair is resolved for the first time, with important implications for biological magnetoreception through the radical pair mechanism.     

The phase diagram and supercooling conditions for the Ca(NO3)2−CaCl2−H2O system

The liquidus temperature and induction periods were measured for crystallization in a system of calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, and water over a concentration range of 5–20 mole% Ca(II), i.e., R=4–18 [R=moles H₂O/moles Ca(II)] and y_cl=0–1 [y_cl=moles Cl^–/moles (NO ₃ ^– +Cl^–)]. A ternary phase diagram was constructed, and qualitative dependences of the supercooling at which the solution began to crystallize on the system composition were found. A wide range of stability toward crystallization was found for solutions withR=4–10 and y_cl=0–0.7 The relationships between the system stability toward crystallization and the viscosity, glass-transition temperature, and the liquidus temperature are discussed.     

A Novel Fluorescence Immunoassay Based on Two-time Amplified Fluorescence Signal by Hemin and Magnetic Nanoparticles for the Detection of Antigen

Abstract

A novel, selective, and sensitive magnetic-mimetic enzyme fluorescence immunoassay method for antigen detection has been developed by taking advantage of a magnetic separation process and the amplification feature of the hemin label. This method is based on a twice amplified fluorescence signal. The signal is first amplified due to the ultrasmall size and the high surface-to-volume ratio of the silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles, which enable the nanoparticles to carry much more antibodies. Second, the mimetic enzyme (hemin) as a labeling reagent catalyzes the reaction of p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid and H₂O₂ can further amplify the fluorescence signal. This protocol was also evaluated for a sandwich-type immunoassay of human IgG, and the calibration graph for human IgG was linear over the range of 0–100 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 9.8 ng mL^?1. This method can easily separate magnetic nanoparticles from the solution, which simplified the process and played a promising role for various applications in immunoassay.     

Magnetic field effects detected by exciplex fluorescence and preferential solvation in binary solvents. The effect of temperature

At 20–70 °C, the temperature has almost no effect on the semisaturation field,B _1/2, or on the magnetic effects detected by exciplex fluorescence (pyrene/N,N-dimethylaniline) in binary benzene-DMSO mixtures. In individual solvents (ethanol, methanol) heating leads to a noticeable increase in the magnetic effect, whileB _1/2 decreases. The results obtained corroborate a previously proposed hypothesis that polar microclusters are formed in binary solvents with components of different polarity. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1821–1823, October, 1993.     

Following radical pair reactions in solution: a step change in sensitivity using cavity ring-down detection

The study of radical pair intermediates in biological systems has been hampered by the low sensitivity of the optical techniques usually employed to investigate these highly reactive species. Understanding the physical principles governing the spin-selective and magneto-sensitive yields and kinetics of their reactions is essential in identifying the mechanism governing bird migration, and might have significance in the discussion of potential health hazards of electromagnetic radiation. Here, we demonstrate the powerful capabilities of optical cavity-enhanced techniques, such as cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) in monitoring radical recombination reactions and associated magnetic field effects (MFEs). These include submicrosecond time-resolution, high sensitivity (baseline noise on the order of 10(-6) absorbance units) and small (μL) sample volumes. Combined, we show that these represent significant advantages over the single-pass flash-photolysis techniques conventionally applied. The studies described here focus on photoinduced radical pair reactions involving the protein lysozyme and one of two possible photosensitizers: anthraquinone-2,6-disulphonate and flavin mononucleotide. CRDS-measured MFEs are observed in pump-probe experiments and discussed in terms of the sensitivity gains and sample-volume minimization afforded by CRDS when compared with flash photolysis methods. Finally, CRDS is applied to an in vitro MFE study of intramolecular electron transfer in the DNA-repair enzyme, Escherichia coli photolyase, a protein closely related to cryptochrome which has been proposed to mediate animal magnetoreception.     

Effects of zeolites and external magnetic field on photochemistry of arylmethyl esters and arylmethyl sulfones

The photolyses of benzyl p-methylphenylacetate (BCO₂A), 1-naphthyl phenylacetate (ACO₂N), p-methylbenzyl benzyl sulfone (ASO₂B) and 1-naphthyl benzyl sulfone (ASO₂N) were carried out on the pentasil and faujasite zeolites. The product distribution, in terms of the cage effect, was extremely sensitive to zeolite structure. Photolyses of BCO₂A and ASO₂B adsorbed on NaZSM-5 produce AB as the main product. In contrast, photoirradiation of ACO₂N and ASO₂N adsorbed on NaZSM-5 only gives AA and NN as the products, and the cage effect is essentially-100%. All the four substrates adsorbed on NaY zeolite show higher cage effects in the photolysed products compared with those in homogeneous solutions. All the observations are interpreted by consideration of size and shape sorption selectivity of the substrate molecules on the zeolite surface and restriction on diffusional motion of the photogenerated radicals imposed by zeolite surface. Application of a weak external magnetic field in the photolysis decreases the cage effects in all cases, which demonstrates that the reactive states for the photocleavage reaction of the esters and sulfones mainly involve triplet excited states.     

Magnetic field-induced polarization inversion in delayed fluorescence

It is shown that a recent theory for the magnetic field dependence of delayed fluorescence radiation of aromatic hydrocarbons in liquid solutions leads to the theoretical prediction of a new effect according to which the polarized intensity branches of the relative field effect exhibit a crossover at a certain magnetic field H_c. As a general feature, the branch polarized parallel to the external field H lies above the branch polarized perpendicularly for H < H_c whereas this order is reversed for H >H_c. The magnitude of the polarization splitting may become quite large at sufficiently low temperatures and will easily be measurable experimentally, particularly at higher fields.     

A Programmed DNA Marker Based on Bis(4‐ethynyl‐1,8‐naphthalimide) and Three‐Methane‐Bridged Thiazole Orange

Two large conjugated naphthalimide derivatives with or without three‐methane‐bridged thiazole orange (TO3; i.e., compounds 1 a and 2 a , respectively) were designed and synthesized. The fluorescence of the naphthalimide group in compound 1 a at λ=532 nm initially decreased and that for the TO3 group at λ=655 nm increased sequentially upon adding Salmon testes (St) DNA. In contrast, without the TO3 group, the fluorescence intensity of compound 2 a monotonously decreased in response to the addition of DNA. The non‐monotonic change in the fluorescence for compound 1 a could be divided into two linear sections with two different wavelengths in the range of 0<R_{b/ 1 a} <1.2 and 1.2 <R_{b/ 1 a} <6.0 (R_{b/ 1 a} =[base pair]/[ 1 a ]). Thus, compound 1 a can be regarded as a programmed responding molecule for DNA, which can semi‐quantitatively determine the concentration of DNA over a large concentration range from the standard fluorescence curve of compound 1 a at different wavelengths when bound with DNA. Furthermore, the binding modes of compounds 1 a and 2 a with StDNA were studied by using CD spectroscopy and melting temperature (T_m) testing. The results showed that compound 1 a interacts with StDNA through multi‐interactions including weak intercalation, weak minor groove binding, and inter‐dye interactions, whereas compound 2 a bound with DNA through simultaneous intercalation and minor groove binding.     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF METAL COMPLEXES OF β-DIKETONE BASED SIDE CHAIN LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYSILOXANE

A new type of metal coordinated liquid crystalline polymers has been synthesized by complexation of metal ions with β-diketone based side chain liquid crystal polysiloxane (DKLCP). The complexation of copper ions with DKLCP greatly increases the phase transition temperature T_k from crystalline state to liquid crystalline state and T_(cl) from LC to isotropic state and makes the range of phase transition ΔT (ΔT=T_(cl)-T_k) widened. These complexes are soluble in common organic solvents. However, the incorporation of europium ions into DKLCP molecules gives rise to reduction in liquid crystallinity and crosslinking in some cases. The DKLCP coordinated with suitable amount of Eu ions can show good liquid crystallinity and fluorescent property.     

Design of Weak‐Donor Alkyl‐Functionalized Push–Pull Pyrene Dyes Exhibiting Enhanced Fluorescence Quantum Yields and Unique On/Off Switching Properties

We designed, synthesized, and evaluated environmentally responsive solvatochromic fluorescent dyes by incorporating weak push–pull moieties. The quantum yields of the push (alkyl)–pull (formyl) pyrene dyes were dramatically enhanced by the introduction of alkyl groups into formylpyrene (1‐formylpyrene: Φ_F=0.10; 3,6,8‐tri‐n‐butyl‐1‐formylpyrene: Φ_F=0.90; in MeOH). The new dyes exhibited unique sensitivity to solvent polarity and hydrogen‐bond donor ability, and specific fluorescence turn‐on/off properties (e.g., 3,6,8‐tri‐n‐butyl‐1‐formylpyrene: Φ_F=0.004, 0.80, 0.37, and 0.90 in hexane, chloroform, DMSO, and MeOH, respectively). Here, the alkyl groups act as weak donors to suppress intersystem crossing by destabilizing the HOMOs of 1‐formylpyrene while maintaining weak intramolecular charge‐transfer properties. By using alkyl groups as weak donors, environmentally responsive, and in particular, pH‐responsive fluorescent materials may be developed in the future.     

Modulating Magnetic and Photoluminescence Properties in 2-Aminonicotinate-Based Bifunctional Coordination Polymers by Merging 3d Metal Ions

Herein, the synthesis and study of bifunctional coordination polymers (CPs) with both magnetic and photoluminescence properties, derived from a heterometallic environment, are reported. As a starting point, three isostructural monometallic CPs with the formula [M(μ-2ani)₂]_n (M^II=Mn ( 1_Mn ), Co ( 3_Co ) and Ni ( 4_Ni ); 2ani=2-aminonicotinate), crystallise as chiral 2D-layered structures stacked by means of supramolecular interactions. These compounds show high thermal stability in the solid state (above 350 °C), despite which, in aqueous solution, compound 1_Mn is shown to partially transform into a novel 1D chain CP with the formula [Mn(2ani)₂(μ-H₂O)₂]_n ( 2_Mn ). A study of the direct current (dc) magnetic properties of 1_Mn , 3_Co and 4_Ni reveals a spin-canted structure derived from antisymmetric antiferromagnetic weak exchanges along the chiral network (as confirmed by DFT calculations) and magnetic anisotropy of the ions, in such a way that long-range ordering is observed with variable magnitude for the spin carriers. Moreover, compounds 3_Co and 4_Ni show no frequency-dependent alternating current (ac) susceptibility curves under zero dc field; this is characteristic behaviour of a glassy state that may be partially supressed for 3_Co by applying an external dc field. To overcome long-range magnetic ordering, Co^II ions are diluted in a diamagnetic Zn^II-based matrix, which enables single-molecule magnet behaviour. Interestingly, this strategy allows a bifunctional Co_xZn_1−x2ani material, which is imbued with a strong photoluminescent emitting capacity, as characterised by an intense blue light followed by a green afterglow, to be obtained.     

Synthesis,Structures, Luminescent and Magnetic Properties of Heterometallic 5p‐4f Compounds with Ethylenediaminetetra­acetate

A series of heterometallic Ln^III–Sb^III edta‐containing compounds with the formulas [Sb₂(edta)₂Ln]NO₃ · nH₂O [edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate; Ln = Eu, n = 7 ( 1 ); Gd, n = 7.5 ( 2 ) and Tb, n = 8 ( 3 )] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses (EA), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXDP), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Their fluorescence and magnetic properties were also studied. The thermal analysis demonstrates the compounds formation of the antimony, lanthanide ions, and edta^4– ligands. FT‐IR spectra reveal that the antimony and lanthanide ions are connected through the carboxylate bridges. The studies of luminescence properties show that compounds 1 and 3 exhibit typical luminescence in the visible region. Furthermore, magnetic properties reveal compounds 2 and 3 have weak ferromagnetic behavior.     

Graphene‐coated magnetic‐sheet solid‐phase extraction followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in soy‐based samples

A new method named graphene‐coated magnetic‐sheet solid‐phase extraction based on a magnetic three‐dimensional graphene sorbent was developed for the extraction of aflatoxins prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The use of a perforated magnetic‐sheet for fixing the magnetic nanoparticles is a new feature of the method. Hence, the adsorbent particles can be separated from sample solution without using an external magnetic field. This made the procedure very simple and easy to operate so that all steps of the extraction process (sample loading, washing, and desorption) were carried out continuously using two lab‐made syringe pumps. The factors affecting the performance of extraction procedure such as the extraction solvent, adsorbent dose, sample loading flow rate, ionic strength, pH, and desorption parameters were investigated and optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the obtained enrichment factors and limits of detection were in the range of 205–236 and 0.09–0.15 μg/kg, respectively. The relative standard deviations were <3.4 and 7.5% for the intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 4) precisions, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to determine aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ in different soy‐based food samples.     

Exploring Reversible Quenching of Fluorescence from a Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline Derivative by Protonation

Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline derivatives are reported to be highly efficient organic fluorescent materials suitable for applications in light‐emitting devices. Although their fluorescence remains stable in organic solvents or in aqueous solution even in the presence of H₂O, halide salts (LiCl), alkali (NaOH) and weak acid (acetic acid), it suffers an efficient quenching process in the presence of protic acid (HCl) in aqueous or ethanolic solution. This quenching process is accompanied by a change in the UV spectrum, but it is reversible and can be fully recovered. Both steady‐state and transient fluorescence spectra of 1‐phenyl‐3,4‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazolo‐[3,4‐b]quinoline (PAQ5) during quenching are measured and analyzed. It is found that a combined dynamic and static quenching mechanism is responsible for the quenching processes. The ground‐state proton‐transfer complex [PAQ5 ??? H⁺] is responsible for static quenching. It changes linearly with proton concentration [H⁺] with a bimolecular association constant K_S=1.95 M ^?1 controlled by the equilibrium dissociation of HCl in ethanol. A dynamic quenching constant K_D=22.4 M ^?1 is obtained by fitting to the Stern–Volmer equation, with a bimolecular dynamic quenching rate constant k_d=1.03×10⁹ s^?1 M ^?1 under ambient conditions. A change in electron distribution is simulated and explains the experiment results.